Ramblings of a Grad Student

I'm in Mobile for the weekend, trying to finish the thesis from Hell. I can't get internet on my laptop, so having to go back and forth between it and my mom's computer. Have the bibliography done save one citation and checking a few others, but need to do abstract and acknowledgements. I've called manuscript clearance three times for different things to make sure this is right before my defense on Wednesday. Reading sample abstracts is next, as acknowledgements are optional and therefore have less format.

As for the rest of my week, my birthday was fun after a little towing scare. Went to dinner at Samrat with Rachel, 'tis becoming a birthday tradition. Thought about Masa, but I was broke, and so was she. I might need to ask to go to Stix tomorrow night, as Manci's was yummy last night, but not my choice. I did get more gifts though. A crap load of money, NOLA's gonna be great! And the music on my iPod for the trip? Even better if Em delivers my bday gift soon. Unless I decide I need a hard copy at midnight after the AMAs. However, first, I plan to see 2012 this weekend, hopefully tonight, as tomorrow will be football. The FSU season has sucked so hard that the game is on at 11am on ESPNU. That will require going somewhere to watch it, which Daddy and I discussed at 3am. He slept through my music snippet fest, but woke up ready to talk NFL relocation and NBA. WTF, he never wants to talk basketball now. The news of the day isn't the Lakers being in first place, but rather LeBron wants to change his number to honor Michael Jordan. Apparently having MJ show up at your games sparks something, who knows. I'd love to see him succeed in getting the number retired, but I don't see it happening. Too many players wearing the number now.

Got a phone call at 11:00 tonight from my dad end a slightly hellacious couple of days on the thesis front. I am officially not actually graduating at the end of this semester. I say actually because I have to format, revise and defend my thesis in the next few weeks, but it'll be after the deadline for Fall graduation. I'm just glad Gray decide today on mid-November instead of the early December idea he had Thursday. I need to be done by Thanksgiving so that I can enjoy New Orleans and the album I will be inflicting on Sara unless she wants me in my own little world. She did like the first single, whose debut was the only thing that kept me from crumbling after both parents reduced me to tears last night. Do they know how much it kills me to be bitched at about money when I just got another job rejection from the temp agency and haven't worked since January? There are some things beyond my control, unless they want to let evil Kate play hardball with a neurologist, or have they forgotten part of why I moved to Florida to begin with? Anyway, hopefully being in touch with a temp agency will net me some actual money soon that is not the result of a cap and gown refund.

I woke up from my pre-baking nap to somewhat horrid news from Dr. Gray. He doesn't think I'm ready to defend. However, if I can rewrite my intro and link my advertising chapters to my mascot chapters better it my be possible. Why didn't he tell me this about the chapters this summer? Did he not read anything until he had everything? I'm hoping my dad can help me figure things out because I already ordered my cap and gown and am ready to finish this. I had no idea changes this big were looming. Also, this may mean that the job I found may not work out, as I have no idea how many hours of reading, writing, meeting with /e-mailing Gray it'll take to be ready. I'm dreading telling my parents. Called them when I found out, but they were in bed already.

As for why I was baking after 11pm? Rachel's birthday is Sunday, so I took her cupcakes, a card, and a copy of Details. She was amazed I got her anything, but after the card, balloon and flowers she gave me last year, I owed her. She hasn't read the Details article, didn't even know it existed, but her reaction to the pics wasn't surprising. Not amused is the best way to describe it, as well as shocked because she's apparently been under a rock. However, after she was weirded out by the Wicked clips, I wasn't surprised. Eh, I'll check back after she's read the article and see if she gets the spread then, as she knows nothing of tour shenanigans. Need to link her a different Time For Miracles vid as well, as the one I sent was yanked, oops. I offered to gift her either TFM or the first single off the album, when it appears, her choice. We'll see which she chooses. And we tentatively made plans for Indian food on my birthday because I can make teriyaki, but haven't ever attempted Indian. I miss the homemade samosas my friends gave me in high school. Need Samrat, or takeout Indian, soon. However, I need to defend to not make my birthday miserable. I wasn't at Kellum long though, walked back in the rain as she was called to deal with trouble in another dorm. Hope the next visit's longer.

I woke up and checked my e-mail at 5:30am, at which time I found an awesome surprise. An anonymous person bought me six months of Paid account. I've had this journal since 2004 and it's never been Paid. I suspect it's whomever was doing six Paid accounts at a time on ontd_ai. I mentioned in one of the massive flail posts, of which there have been many recently, that I couldn't icon much as I only had six slots. Other than that, I haven't said boo about my lack of a Paid account though I've debated a Plus account. I decided inflicting banners on my flist wasn't worth nine icons. Anyway, now that I can have more icon fun I definitely will. I need a new default and a fic icon just for starters. I've also been lusting after voice posts, but we'll see. I hate how my recorded voice sounds. Somehow, recording equipment (audio or video) picks up every Southern nuance in my totally non-Southern accent. As for other fun with Paid accounts, never really thought about it, but now I can. :-D

Ok, game tomorrow, no game last weekend, guess it's time to relive the Georgia Tech game. I swear to God, if we don't find a defense soon, we'll lose Homecoming and get plastered by Florida. We spent the entire FSU/GT game playing what Sara dubbed musical endzones. Meaning we'd score, then they'd counter. The entire first half. We were lucky to be up at half 35-28, but that didn't last long, as they received to open the half, and had tied the game before the 13:00 mark. GT took the lead just before the quarter ended at 42-38, but we ended up losing 49-44. Scoring 44 points is evidence that the offense isn't the problem for the first time this decade, but we now have our worst record in probably two decades at 2-4 and the head of the Board of Trustees is calling for Bobby's head on a silver platter. There were signs at the game supporting him, but the students seem to be divided. Personally, I think it's his call when he retires, and calling for him to step down won't expedite the process. Bobby's scared to retire because of what happened to Bear and I hate to think that's why he's stayed so long, but I know that's at least part of it.

As far as the rest of life, my thesis is finished and sent to the committee. First revisions and defense to come. So damn happy to have the thing written. Kinda scared of what Gray will do to it. Hoping it's not much, as I still have citations to insert. Ordering my cap and gown this week as well, graduation's finally starting to seem real. I don't have a permanent job lined up, but a temp agency called and I might be making phone calls for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for their next fundraiser. That interview was fun, much of it was 20 questions about my rings, a claddagh, gecko, and kokopelli, the latter of which is great fun to explain. Oh, and since when do I turn my room inside out looking for boot socks and get mad when I read the mail. First thing on the inside of my Vera catalog? An espresso clutch, which I desperately need, as I have no dressy brown purse. Since when did I care about this? Where is my jeans, t-shirt, no bags self? And can I have here back? I put on a ribbed turtleneck sweater and boots with my jeans and full jewelry to go to the library and write because I planned to go to the on-campus Chilis to celebrate when I finished. I finished, I went, I didn't get carded, but the Pats game wasn't on when I got there. Still not sure why I dressed up.

My body hates me. I had a partial seizure about an hour ago. I think I missed a dose somewhere, but am too close to needing more Keppra and Carbatrol to be able to compensate right now. This means that my plan to write my entire conclusion today may not happen. However, I did finish the intro from Hell on Tuesday. Haven't heard back from Gray since I e-mailed it to him though. Hoping to meet with him Monday, so we can finalize my defense. I'd like to be able to look for a job more thoroughly. Did apply for two positions this week not really expecting that to pay off though. I need a job soon though or I have to move to Mobile and sublet after graduation, the thought of which breaks my heart. :'(

On a lighter note, my journal's been public for ages, but I have a question for my readers. Would friends locking it change the likelihood of commenting on entries for any of you? I don't mean to sound like a comment whore, but I get so few comments that I can't even tell who reads my stuff.

Ok, so wedding day began with hair and makeup sessions after gathering shoes, dresses, etc. to take to the church. The hairdressers had lots of fun with my hair. Tons of ringlets and about a dozen bobby pins in my hair for a half up-do. Not my thing ever. I prefer my hair all the way up. Plus, I was the only one that didn't need her hair recurled before the ceremony. Next was makeup, and none of this group has ever seen me in makeup, that's fun. The smoky tones and mascara on my already jet black lashes? Looks amazing apparently. So many people assume I wear makeup anyway, that when I really do, it's a little overwhelming. Once everyone was done, we headed over to the church for what seemed like a zillion pics of us getting ready, then formal pics. Barely any of which I've seen, and some were awkward, to me anyway. We had orange lilies for our flowers, long stems, so they were cradled in one arm rather than carried upright. This made pictures kinda tricky, and as the tallest bridesmaid, I moved a lot.

After pictures, we went and chilled before the ceremony was to start at which time we went to the bridal room in back of the sanctuary. The processional was long with grandmother, moms, and us. However, I managed to get down the aisle and to my spot, in heels, without falling. Brandon will never know it, but that has more to do with acolyte autopilot than him. Carrying a crucifer in a robe that's too long is great for trusting that putting one foot in front of the other works. Plus, I found my parents in the congregation during the processional and from the alter. As for the ceremony, short and sweet, no funky stuff, just a unity candle. Unlike the dreadfully long vows from the last wedding I was in. After the ceremony, we waited on the limo before heading over to the reception with just the girls and Patrick in the limo. Interesting comments about his actually being married, WTF, holy shit!

( Reception and Morning After )

It's been a while since I posted anything of substance, but I have a whole lot of stuff to document from wedding to football to fandom. Not putting it all in one entry though. First up, now that Greer is back from her honeymoon and has changed her info on Facebook, I should probably tell you what happens when you do weddings whirlwind weekend style. Seriously, I got on a bus to Atlanta at 7:30am Thursday, got on my return bus at 4:30pm Sunday. In between, I got nails done, went to a bridal luncheon, went to a rehearsal dinner, got hair and makeup done, and attended a wedding and reception. Chaos, in a house with a five and seven year old who get up way too early and think I sleep way too late.

Anyway, got to Atlanta at lunch time on Thursday and my sister greets me with lunch at The Varsity. That was awesome, even if the barbecue sandwiches are gone and I had to get chicken salad. The onion rings and chocolate shake made up for it. After that, we drove to Augusta in time for nail appointments. First time I've had my nails done as an adult, also first time since the last wedding I was in. As I type this, my toes are still a perfect burgundy, which will acquire a coat of gold glitter polish when the Halloween game rolls around, and my hands have a peeling French manicure, just paint, no tips. This was drama because we were under the impression that since it being made to seem mandatory, that it was paid for in advance, or at least Em thought that. I was less surprised though. After nails was dinner and me imparting knowledge to the happy couple. Greer said she refused to let Patrick do some household chore (dish duty/bed making) and I looked at her with mock horror and said don't do that again. If he offers, let him help, even if he screws up and you have to redo it. I neglected to tell her this is practice for having kids, but I did tell her that my mom would give the same advice. The rest of that night was uneventful, as the bridesmaid luncheon was at 11am the next morning and we had to retrieve our dresses from being steamed before then.

( Bridesmaid Luncheon and Rehearsal Events )

I'm now @nolechica on Twitter.

When I'm sick or hurt, equally as likely, I hate being doted on. I don't get sick much, but I try to go to work/school through it. Unless I'm drugged, but even then, I've worked/attended class. The number of classes I've attended/shifts I've worked post-ictal would freak out most people, but I decided years ago that having seizures didn't make the world stop turning. I do shield friends and family from them when possible. My BFF on campus has never seen one despite having seen me post-ictal lots. As for injuries, my pain threshold is freaky. And my patience for maternal hovering is nil. The summer I broke my ankle, I wanted nothing more than to come back to Tally just to get away from my mother. Yeah, walking around campus would've hurt like hell, but the freedom would've been worth it. And walking up and down the stairs to my parents office wasn't exactly a picnic anyway.

Ok, I realize I've opened Pandora's box for the newbies on my flist, but you're free to ask whatever questions you want.

That would be Bryan, who I'm missing right now. We've known each other since 5th grade and he's the reason I'm an FSU fan and student. We talk whenever, his schedule is a nightmare and he answers texts/e-mails better. I've been the single one while he's had a string of girlfriends and a fiancee. I get to be the voice of reason and the crying shoulder, and he does the same for me. We never follow the advice we give. As for why I'm missing him now, it's football season and he hasn't been to a game in Tally in ages. The last two years we've met up in Atlanta for our birthday. And as much as I'm loving the idea of NOLA with Sara, I'm now contemplating ATL the weekend after our bday. Will have to see 2012 later maybe. Need to return his Wall post.

Ugh, my body hates me. My sleep is out of whack again, so I'm wide awake at 5:30am, but I had to take Valium because my meds are screwy and my hand's been tight all day. I met with Dr. Gray on Monday and he wants my intro finished ASAP, but the wedding will consume the rest of my week and I have reading to do before I can write the advertising portion of my historiography. The mascot portion is finished though, finally. Hoping I can at least finish the reading before next week, but we'll see. Might actually be sleeping on the bus, as Em's meeting me in Atlanta, with Nick on his birthday, poor him. Then we have to go to Augusta for manis and pedis for the wedding, the latter of which I desperately need, as my feet are shit and my heels are open-toed. I have managed to get out of any extraneous shopping due to a casual rehearsal dinner and having acceptable bridal luncheon clothes. Yay, but I do need to tan, my top is way to white, should have been wearing sleeveless tops and and studying on Landis, not in Strozier. If I still had my crazy creek, I'd probably be tan by now, damn it.

Anyway, my weekend was entertaining. Surprise trip by Sara to town for the game, but we mainly partied. Went to Bull's on Friday with Meg and Katie, that was interesting. I hate playing follow the leader around bars with staircases. We actually hung out on dance floor for a while and I had fun thoughts of the songs that should be playing the next time I'm on the dance floor. Shots were taken and Meg and Katie met up with old "friends". Good night over all. Until Sara dropped them off and didn't come back for a while, as her rendezvous was cut short by frat brothers arriving in town. She's lucky I was up at 5am. I paid for it later though, as I got up at nine for the game and was at the stadium to get seats at ten. Got sunburnt and dehydrated, and we lost, oh and it rained. Where did Murphy find me, and why last week? Lack of ability to defend a running quarterback, or convert at the goal line cost us dearly. Oh, and our kicker still fails at life. Why have home games sucked this year? Fortunately, our loss was small potatoes after UF's golden boy got a concussion and the whole state freaked out. They have this week off though, so he should be fine by their next game, hence me not getting the freak out. And yes, I've had a concussion, and dealing with mine was a pain in the ass, as it involved a trip to the neuro and much hovering, which I hate. This definitely colors my perception.

As for the rest of the weekend, we went out for drinks at the Painted Lady, but a Sex on the Beach is best made by your truly, Tally bartenders fail. Also, Sara and I are planning a trip to New Orleans for my birthday, possibly instead of Gainesville at Thanksgiving. The timing of the trip with depend on when I get the CD I'm awaiting. I hope I can pre-order, but am broke now. This should be fun, as Sara's never really been and I'm always up for playing tour guide and finally having a fellow history geek to go to cemeteries and the WWII museum with, doing that with the fam resulted in Twenty Questions about D-Day. Fortunately for them, I knew the answers. And the timing of this discussion was amusing as pics of Adam Lambert surfaced (with facial hair, never seen so much fandom drama ever) from his New Orleans trip, including a Hand Grenade container from the Tropical Isle, only my favorite drink on Bourbon St. I love hurricanes, but prefer mine from scratch, not Pat O'Brien's mix. Yes, too many Mardi Gras has made me picky, but I'm worse about King Cake. And on the food front, Sara and I discussed frying a turkey for Thanksgiving, which apparently Emily wants to do as well. I wish I still has the Emeril Thanksgiving special I watched years ago. Anyway, Thanksgiving could be an adventure this year, with a fabulous soundtrack. ;-)

Saturday was busy. I had to go get my dress fitted, which turned into an adventure. My phone book failed me and the first address I had wasn't in downtown Tallahassee, but downtown Quincy. As such, I had to find a second shop on the fly, as I didn't have cab fare to spend on a second trip for this. Then, trying on the dress was an adventure, as I had to take apart the sash and put the dress on over my head. Add to this my heels and strapless and I was not amused. I hope that I don't regret having the dress measure to the floor, as walking could be tricky. Fortunately, there won't be a groomsman to drag to the ground if I fall, as we're having a way long processional. Speaking of processionals, I told Greer she's owe me, as this'll be the first time I've been in a church since May 2004. That's damn near impossible in the Deep South, which Tallahassee still is, much to my dismay. Anyway, realized I need to quit biting my nails or a manicure will be pointless. I do apparently occasionally have vain thoughts. Still debating the tanning though, might do that the old-fashioned way, unless the rain continues.

As for the never ending thesis, got some reading done, need to write next and reed more. I want to finish the intro by Friday, as I have a meeting with Gray on Monday and game weekends are shit for being productive. Plus, my sleep is more screwy than normal. After a summer as a slave to youtube and mp3 editing, my body finally said enough. I slept twelve hours Sunday and then my power was cut off today and so my sleep is even more out of whack. I might be making a pre-dawn trip to Strozier to write. We'll see if I'm still motivated after I straighten out my ipod playlist, or maybe not exactly, but organize at any rate. I need to finish the mascot section and start on the advertising historiography, without seeing red. Some of the mascot stuff is tough because I'm writing this paper, but I still know the warchant by heart, still do the chop, paint my face (need to retrieve glitter paint for Halloween game), and will always have a soft spot for Osceola and Renegade. Add to this the fact that Dr. Frank probably won't like my thesis, especially after our last chat, and I'm kinda twisted in knots.

As for a brief football update, FSU went to Provo and beat #7 BYU! First victory over a top 10 team in two years. Maybe now beating Florida isn't such a long shot, and Thomas will have to stop being such a shit. Didn't expect a 54-21 victory though, but yay for a recovering secondary, even if our kicker can't make extra points to save his life. Scoring on our first five possessions felt damn good. Add to this an injury to the USF QB and I might make it through this week with sanity in tact. Provided it doesn't rain during the White Out of course. I hate white t-shirts at games, but might get a Nike one and hope for clear skies. Bigger problems come from a noon start, which means being at the stadium at ten. Now I know why Em bitched about Auburn games. That's too damn early, even for a girl who bleeds garnet and gold.

Vanity thy name is Mom. Apparently the way to get positive comments from my mom is to get back to my weight from the beginning of freshman year. What? How did that happen? I've lost twenty pounds and I couldn't tell you how if I tried. I assume utility bill control and being distracted out of meals helps. Anyway, now I'm hearing how good I looked at the bachelorette weekend and other wedding related things. Had to go strapless bra shopping yesterday, and it was surprisingly painless. Spent more time waiting on my cab than in the fitting room. This is amazing because bra shipping has always sucked for me and I was anticipating needing the pads from middle school to even things out. Anyway, now that I have everything, I need it to not rain so I can go to the alterations place, and then apparently the tanning bed. Mom is worried about strap marks, but if she'll pay, I'll go. Times like this I hate that it's Patrick's wedding and Mom's worried about me ruining pictures. I'm already getting manicure/pedicure/hair/make-up, and my brows waxed, but that's not new. Most of my friends won't believe the pics.

On to other things, now that the tour/summer obsession is over I'm using my crazy sleep cycle and the wonderful library hours to get some work done. I miss Night Staff/all-nighters hardcore and I need to complete the historiography from Hell soon. I finally figured out a layout, mascots and advertising instead of by chapter. Meeting with Gray next week to see where we go from here. Plus, football season creates a great light at the end of each week's tunnel as motivation. Get shit done so that I can enjoy stadium time. And speaking of football, went in Garnet and Gold yesterday just looking and discovered my icon has been redesigned.
( Pictures )

What about Thomas you ask? Well, it seems once he sobered up what he wanted with me changed. So, we had Sexual Inquisition Part Two. Only this time, I wasn't on the defensive as much. Convincing him that I know what I want is tricky because of his past, but I might be willing to try things out. This discussion happened after he made me see red over college football. The shirt above exists for a reason. Gator fans are cocky as Hell, but with good reason unfortunately. Anyway, we left things at we'll see, but I know he doesn't want a girlfriend and he knows I can't be his sports buddy, so maybe something in between? He might need to see my t-shirt.

It's been six years since Sara and I chalked "Rix Sucks. Let Wyatt Start." at the entrance to the practice field, but I thought about it Saturday. Not because we lost, but because we almost did, to a team we should've killed. However, I'd forgotten, as had our defense apparently, that Ryan Perrilloux is damn good. Honestly, I'd forgotten that he's the only reason I knew of the existence of Jacksonville State in the first place. Even my mother, whose day at work tomorrow the Noles made way more interesting than she intended, didn't believe me when I said that was in Alabama. She assumed it was in Florida. She has apparently forgotten the defensive coordinator and head coach that played for Bama and the connections they still apparently have to the state. This is the fourth Alabama school we've played recently, and the third cupcake to have almost bitten us in the ass. The FSU/Bama game left me conflicted, but ultimately thrilled, as Charles left Tuscaloosa and I chose FSU over Bama, but damn wouldn't it haven been entertaining to see what Emily would've done if I'd gone to Bama. Ultimately, her decision would've probably not changed and my parents would own a bunch of "House Divided" stuff.

( FSU and USC games )

Ok, so, Miami game on Monday. First off, why must the schedule makers keep doing this? Miami game on Labor Day is good for tv, bad for my nerves. Too much pressure to deal with tickets the first week of class. Anyway, Monday began at noon with Sara still sick and without a ticket and me fine and with a ticket. We got lunch and t-shirts from Garnet and Gold before returning to put on game clothes. I wore my jersey, capris and flip flops, stylish, but painful. Got to the stadium about 5:15 for an 8:00 kickoff because the gates open at six and student seating is now general admission, fuck you athletic department. I got a decent seat and chilled until seven when I went and applied face paint. This is as close as yours truly gets to makeup on game day. Not long after, everyone stood up and we'd remain that way the rest of the game.

( UM Game )

Getting to a bus station at 7am is cruel and unusual punishment, even with my sleep cycle. That's exactly what I did on Saturday though. Had to be on the 7:30 bus to Atlanta for Greer's bachelorette party. I went shopping on Friday after hearing from Mom that Emily had gotten furry handcuffs. Who hears from their mother that their sister purchased handcuffs??? Anyway, with that knowledge, I found a two-piece set in Victoria's Secret that cost more than I intended, but was totally worth it, black and red tie back naughty maid looking outfit. Also for a cute top and let Rachel give me advice on what to wear with said top for the bachelorette party. Packed all of my stuff at 6am after searching out concert footage and reading fanfic consumed my evening. Anyway, got to Greyhound and got my ticket with no trouble, but the bus ride was cold as fuck. Sleep didn't happen for a while, but it did eventually happen. As such, I was fine for the night's festivities. First though,, the afternoon's festivities, which included many phallic toys and edibles, as well as gifts, which ranged from cute sleep shorts to lingerie to the riding crop Em got along with handcuffs. The combination of which sent my mind to a certain LA Darkroom picture, but I digress. After presents, we shopped, or rather, they shopped and I wished I could...

( Bachelorette Party details and going out in Tally )

Last Tuesday was interesting both academically and personally. I went to the department hoping to get my Program of Study signed by Dr. Upchurch before he left town again. Upon checking the form, he'd signed it and I hadn't been told. This was strange and I'm not sure whose fault my not knowing was since Upchurch can be a bit clueless and I don't think Anne likes me. Anyway, after finishing in the office I went to Upchurch, as his door was open. I thanked him and mentioned that part of my Methods paper was in my thesis. He made my day by reminding me that he thought it was publishing quality. I had no idea he remembered that three years later. That was perfect timing anyway, as another member of the grad department recently had something published in the Journal of Sports History, and his major professor is that last signature I need for my Program of Study. I'm hoping to get some insight into the publishing process in addition to thesis help. I need to e-mail Dr. Frank today to set up a meeting.

Tuesday was shaping up to be a normal night when the guy I've been talking to upped the ante considerably by suggesting we meet at AJ's. Little did he know that he'd just named my favorite bar in Tallahassee. Unfortunately, it's also one not within walking distance, and Night Nole and I aren't on good terms because the stop by Potbelly's isn't clearly labeled. Anyway, I ended up getting a cab and getting there before him. It was nice to get a drink and watch some baseball on the big screen, even if the Red Sox game was over. He got there and we met up outside, talked for a while before he went back to his buddies and me to my computer, or so I thought. No sooner am I changed back into comfy clothes, out of my jeans and dress shirt that now almost don't fit courtesy of totally unplanned summer weight loss (maybe some of those Saturday Secrets have gotten to me more than I thought, who knows) than Thomas IM's me and wants me to come hang out for a while before he leaves for Boston at 6am. I went and this is where things got interesting. He'd asked me on my way out the door when my last boyfriend was, and I said I'd tell him later. Anyway, we spent the next several hours discussing why my dating history is brief and my sex life non-existant. He'd totally missed my v-card comment earlier in our discussions. Between being given the third degree on my love life and him trying to understand my sports allegiances, which nobody should ever attempt, it was 4:30 before I was ready to leave. However, this didn't happen without my first kiss, which was not romantic in the least. I think we might be at two different places in our feelings for each other, but who knows. I might need to stop being so damn analytical for once and just go with the flow.

I'm not one for charity projects, usually my volunteering comes in the political arena. However, an American Idol finalist I've been fangirling over, Adam Lambert, asked that his fans stop giving him gifts and donate to charity. To this end, he set up a competition to benefit DonorsChoose.org where the fan group that donates the most gets a chat with him. However, the group I donated through has taken this to heart. Somehow, I found myself donating to help kids, not win a competition. Those of you who know me, know how completely out of the ordinary that is, as I love to win and kids are not my favorite people. Anyway, as I've filtered my Adam obsession out of my Friends List, why am I bringing this to the masses? First, it's a good cause, with lots of options, and second, we made national news.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2009/08/adam-lamberts-donorschooseorg-drive-tops-50k/1?loc=interstitialskip

If you want the details, just ask.